Got Questions?

The truth about the
"Mayan Calendar"

Does Maya calendar predict 2012 apocalypse or the Dawn of a New Better Era?

With humanity coming up fast on 2012, publishers are helping readers gear up and count down to this mysterious — some even call it apocalyptic — date that ancient Mayan societies were anticipating thousands of years ago.

Authors disagree about what humankind should expect on Dec. 21, 2012, when the Maya's "Long Count" calendar marks the end of a 5,126-year era.

Journalist Lawrence Joseph forecasts widespread catastrophe in Apocalypse 2012: A Scientific Investigation Into Civilization's End. Spiritual healer Andrew Smith predicts a restoration of a "true balance between Divine Feminine and Masculine" in The Revolution of 2012: Vol. 1, The Preparation. In 2012, Daniel Pinchbeck anticipates a "change in the nature of consciousness," assisted by indigenous insights and psychedelic drug use.

The buildup to 2012 echoes excitement and fear expressed on the eve of the new millennium, popularly known as Y2K, though on a smaller scale, says Lynn Garrett, senior religion editor at Publishers Weekly. She says publishers seem to be courting readers who believe humanity is creating its own ecological disasters and desperately needs ancient indigenous wisdom.

"The convergence I see here is the apocalyptic expectations, if you will, along with the fact that the environment is in the front of many people's minds these days," Garrett says. "Part of the appeal of these earth religions is that notion that we need to reconnect with the Earth in order to save ourselves."

But scholars are bristling at attempts to link the ancient Maya with trends in contemporary spirituality. Maya civilization, known for advanced writing, mathematics and astronomy, flourished for centuries in Yucatan, especially between A.D. 300 and 900. Its Long Count calendar, which was discontinued under Spanish colonization, tracks more than 5,000 years, then resets at year zero.

"For the ancient Maya, it was a huge celebration to make it to the end of a whole cycle," says Sandra Noble, executive director of the Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies in Crystal River, FL. To render Dec. 21, 2012, as a doomsday or moment of cosmic shifting, she says, is "a complete fabrication and a chance for a lot of people to cash in."

Part of the 2012 mystique stems from the stars. On the winter solstice in 2012, the sun will be aligned with the center of the Milky Way for the first time in about 26,000 years. This means that "whatever energy typically streams to Earth from the center of the Milky Way will indeed be disrupted on 12/21/12 at 11:11 p.m. Universal Time," Joseph writes.

But scholars doubt the ancient Maya extrapolated great meaning from anticipating the alignment — if they were even aware of what the configuration would be.

Astronomers generally agree that "it would be impossible the Maya themselves would have known that," says Susan Milbrath, a Maya archaeoastronomer and a curator at the Florida Museum of Natural History. What's more, she says, "we have no record or knowledge that they would think the world would come to an end at that point.

Sections

Reasons to Join Us

Best Spanish Language School:

Multi-Awarded Course. Educational Excellence Award 2007 by UNESCO. Participation in our program earns academic credits at over 100 universities worldwide and satisfies language requirements for many U.S. government positions.

Most Experienced Institution:

We have 25 years of experience and have served 15,000 students from all over the world.

Best Professors:

Each of our teachers has a University degree and many years of experience teaching Spanish as Second Language.

Best Method:

Complete Immersion. We offer small group courses (maximum of 6 students per professor) or 1-on-1 classes for faster results.

100% Interactive Classes:

Communication-Focused. Become fluent in the shortest time possible. Conversation classes of one-on-one interaction are included every day.

Great Opportunity:

Enjoy the warmth of the Mexican culture. Be welcomed by one of our friendly host families. Live a unique experience.

Exciting Trips:

Discover the best that Mexico has to offer. Visit Chichen Itza, Uxmal, the Caribbean and natural Cenotes.

We are the only Mexican school specializing in Spanish language instruction to be fully accredited by the Mexican Ministry of Education. Our program is consistent with ACTFL standards, as well as the Common European Framework Guidelines for Languages.

Affordable Prices:

We provide an "All-Inclusive Program". Duration of the program can be adjusted to fit your availability; attend for as many weeks as you choose, starting from one week.

Best Overall Experience:

Live this Once in a Life time experience. 98% of our former students recommend us.

Testimonial

"This program provides a great opportunity to immerse yourself in a spanish speaking Culture. The professors are excellent and everyone in and around the school is extremely nice. There are PLENTY of opportunities to really improve your spanish at the institute."